15th August 2004
Todd Pearson's Olympic campaign has begun, with the Men's 4 x 100 Metres Freestyle Relay in Athens last night. The team weren't able to defend their Sydney 2000 title as South Africa took the gold in a new World Record time.
Todd anchored the heat swim yesterday afternoon (Perth time), and was the fastest of the Australians as they qualified equal sixth for the final held early this morning.
With Ian Thorpe coming into the team for the final Todd took the second leg, entering the water fourth and finishing third with another good time. However the Aussies were unable to hold off the Netherlands and U.S. teams who joined South Africa on the podium.
Todd's next swim will be in the 4 x 200 Metres relay on Tuesday, an event in which Australia start as gold medal favourites.
